Tag Archives: Republicans

In a state not regarded as a bastion for labor, Arizona union activists are visiting the State Capitol in Phoenix to urge lawmakers to reject majority Republicans' bills on union activities and other issues.

Their ranks swollen after the last election, Republican governors from Florida to Alaska are undermining President Barack Obama's agenda at every turn ahead of the Democrat's 2012 re-election campaign.

Tea party supporters packed a Phoenix convention center Saturday to hear from two possible contenders for next year's Republican presidential nomination — an election the conservative populist movement is determined to shape after helping the GOP to big gains in the midterm elections.

With Republicans in firm control of Arizona’s government apparatus and Sen. Russell Pearce leading the Senate, more aggressive laws against illegal immigration seemed certain to emerge from the 2011 legislative session.
But cracks are showing in the reputed Republican bastion built on dominance in the Arizona Legislature and Governor’s Office.

“They might buy us our plane ticket out of the state.” — Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, discussing how the Republicans would react if the Democrats in the House ever decided to leave the state to avoid a vote, as the Democratic senators in Wisconsin did over an anti-union bill.

Another domino from Sen. Jon Kyl’s retirement announcement last week fell Feb. 17, as former state Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray announced he is running for Congress to replace Jeff Flake, who on Feb. 14 said he is entering the Senate race.